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China has denied accusations that it is engaged in a 'land grab' of the Maldives, saying there are no political strings attached to Chinese assistance in the island country.

Amid domestic political turmoil, former Maldivian President Nasheed stated in the Indian Times on Wednesday that incumbent president Abdulla Yameen has sold off the nation's sovereignty, including islands, infrastructure and essential utilities, to foreign powers like China for personal gain.

Nasheed fears a land grab would not only hurt the nation, but threaten the security of the Indian Ocean region.

Geng Shuang, spokesman for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, called the allegations "absolute nonsense" during yesterday's routine press conference. Geng stressed that China's cooperation with the Maldives, as well as its aid, is focused on improving the country's economy and the livelihood of its people.

"China offers its assistance to the Maldives with no political strings attached. There is no way that such assistance will impair the Maldives' sovereignty and independence, not to mention undermining the security of the Indian Ocean region," Geng added.

On a related note, the Maldives government announced on the the same day that it is sending envoys to China, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia to explain the ongoing political crisis.

Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi has since met Mohamed Saeed, special envoy of the Maldivian president and economic development minister, in Beijing and told him that the Chinese supported the Maldives in its bid to settle disputes through dialogue.

The Maldives has been facing days of unrest after the Supreme Court ruled on February 1 that top opposition political leaders, including Nasheed and former vice president Ahmed Adeeb, should be released from prison. Yameen rejected the order and declared a state of emergency on Monday.

Chi Dehua
has been a staff editor at GBTIMES since 2013. She covers foreign affairs, business and culture.